Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere is one of my favorite books. It features an entire World of beautiful, magical, fantasical creatures & people existing in an underground London called London Below. When you’re finished reading this book – you’ll probably want to try and find Neverwhere yourself. Also, do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook narrated by Neil Gaiman himself. It’s a wonderful way to experience this story.

Under the streets of London there’s a place most people could never even dream of. A city of monsters and saints, murderers and angels, knights in armour and pale girls in black velvet. This is the city of the people who have fallen between the cracks. Richard Mayhew, a young businessman, is going to find out more than enough about this other London.

Akata Witch, Nnedi Okorafor

This is another one of my favorite reads. Much of the book explores a secret “other” magical part of Nigeria which was so inventive, it left me thinking about it for days afterwards.

Born in New York, but living in Aba, Nigeria, twelve-year old Sunny is understandably a little lost. She is albino and thus, incredibly sensitive to the sun. All Sunny wants to do is be able to play football and get through another day of school without being bullied. But once she befriends Orlu and Chichi, Sunny is plunged in to the world of the Leopard People, where your worst defect becomes your greatest asset.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Laini Taylor

Probably one of my favorite series ever. The setting is gorgeously rich as are the characters. The love story is intense and passionate but it doesn’t take away from the meat of the plot.

Meet Karou. Her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out. When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past.